I'm open to any suggestions for tchaikovsky symphony cycles recorded after 1980 (maybe 1975 if you feel that it's increadibly worth hearing). I'm considering the Leonard Bernstein Cycle because he's just the best at most things... what's your opinion of his recording? The complete cycle recorded by Igor Markevich with the London Symphony (Philips) and Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philarmonic (Decca) in the sixties are both excellent and sound marvelous.
Claudio Abbado also recorded the cycle with the Chicago Symphony (Sony).
If you chose the Mariss Jansons version with the Oslo Philarmonic you must invest in 7 CD, as the package includes some of the composer麓s symphonic poems. (Chandos)
Evgeny Mravinsky symphonies 4, 5 and 6 with the Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon) are outstanding. Why only after 1980 (or 1975)?. Age has nothing to do with quality! Anyway, I'd go for:
Mariss Jansons
Yevgeny Svetlanov (1960s, sorry)
Yevgeny Mravinsky (last three only, several recordings)
Yuri Temirkanov
Andrew Litton
Edit: re Leonard Bernstein.
Lenny was one of the great musicians of the 20th century. No doubt about it. However, I wouldn't recommend his Tchaikovsky cycle as he winds up the sentimental emotional side of the music to hysteria level sometimes. This isn't the repertoire he was most revered for. | 